Connect with Us

Ridge RCMP search for remains at crash site

A Canadian Armed Forces airplane crashed on a mountain above Widgeon Creek in 1953, killing all aboard.

— image credit: RCMP photo

posted Sep 20, 2012 at 3:00 PM

Ridge Meadows RCMP visited the site of a Canadian Armed Forces airplane crash in 1953 that killed all aboard, Friday after reports from hikers that human remains were still there.

The crash site is located on a mountain in the area of Widgeon Creek, and is only accessible by air.

Police checked with the Department of National Defence, and it was believed that all of the victims of the crash had been recovered.

Police had tried to get to the site sooner, but previous attempts to attend the scene had been unsuccessful due to severe snow cover there.

The local RCMP detachment arranged for the RCMP “E” Division Air Services helicopter to take them to the site on Friday Sept. 14, to see if there were any human remains.

The area is still covered in part by snow.

Investigators combed the area around the plane’s debris, but no evidence of human remains were located.

“We received information from a group of ‘extreme’ hikers who posted a video on Youtube that suggested some human remains were missed in the original recovery and these were still at the site,” RCMP Insp. David Fleugel said.

“With the area being so remote, it took a lot of planning and preparation. We are quite satisfied that the complaint we received was incorrect.”

The lead investigator, Constable Mathew Condon, said: “Attending the scene of the crash was obviously a somber experience, considering that five airmen lost their lives at the location. However, we had to make the attempt in order to ensure that none of their remains were still at scene. Thankfully, the report proved false.”

We encourage an open exchange of ideas on this story's topic, but we ask you to follow our guidelines for respecting community standards. Personal attacks, inappropriate language, and off-topic comments may be removed, and comment privileges revoked, per our Terms of Use. Please see our FAQ if you have questions or concerns about using Facebook to comment.